Posts Tagged ‘Entertainment’

Over the years I have always been intrigued at just how much of a role superstitions play in Las Vegas. Lucky charms, lucky hats, lucky coins, lucky numbers even lucky rooms, visitors and locals alike go to great lengths to ensure that Lady Luck is on their side. Even casinos such as The Wynn have omitted floors ending in the number four as the number four brings with it bad luck.

These same kinds of superstitions have spilled over into the Las Vegas real estate market as well. Buyers have been known to avoid closing on a home on a day ending in the number four and they most certainly would not buy a home with an address ending in the number four. Why? The number four in Chinese sounds eerily similar to the word death. They are much more attracted to the number eight which is associated with riches or wealth.

Set aside bad feng shui and unlucky numbers and there are a slew of other spooky housing superstitions. St. Joseph sells houses. Did you know that a statute of the patron saint of selling homes is commonly buried in the front yard of homes with the hopes that it will speed the selling process?

No faith in St. Joseph? Protect your home from witches this weekend by putting fennel seed in the keyholes of your doors or in the door jams. Whatever the superstition, if buyers, sellers and homeowners believe in them they’ll continue to put them into practice no matter how silly it may seem.

April 15, 2011 was officially deemed “Black Friday” by the poker world. What happened? Three major online poker sites were shut down and their CEOs were indicted on counts of money laundering and bank fraud. Anyone in the U.S. who made a living playing online poker was simply out of luck.

While many of these local online gamblers were single, they contributed much to the local economy and spending money was no problem. But now the single players as well as those who are married who have been providing for their families simply through online poker are now having to make a choice: move to another country that allows internet gambling or find another job. For the unattached crowd, the option is simple and tantalizing, move.

Many gaming analysts believe that poker’s “Black Friday” will have serious consequences especially to the World Series of Poker held each year at the Rio in Las Vegas. Many players qualified for the tournament through online winnings. Now that that has been shut down, the entries are projected to reduce from 8,000 to around 2,500, a significant decline. If the numbers are down and the viewers are less, big name sponsorship will drop as well. With those kind of bleak stats, all aspects of Las Vegas’ economy will inevitably take a hit.

Now that nearly 90% of the online gaming community has disappeared, things are bound to change and not for the better unless you’re Costa Rica, Canada or Mexico – countries who still allow online gaming. Local casinos will have to get creative and up the anti to entice poker players to stay and play at actual tables.

Skip breakfast and lunch today because you’re going to need all the extra room for some of the best Greek food in Las Vegas. This weekend marks the 39th year for the famous festival. Three days of Greek goodness!

AND THE DANCING! The festival entertainment with the Greek dancers from children to adults is really where all the fun and laughter starts. Dine and then dance along.

Here are the details:

September 23-25th (Friday – Sunday)
St. John the Baptist Green Orthodox Church (at El Camino & W. Hacienda)
$6 for adults (children 12 and under are free)

On the main menu:
Gyros, Kebabs, Dolmathes, Pastitsios, Spanakopitas, Tiropitas and more!

Ironmen and Ironwomen have begun to arrive at McCarran International Airport. This weekend the city of Henderson, Nevada will be hosting the 5th annual Marine Corps Ironman World Championship 70.3. (Yes, 70.3 total miles). The race is relocating this year from it’s previously home in Clearwater, Florida having been there since it’s commencement in 2006.

The world’s finest and strongest triathletes will be competing for top honors as well as a split of $100,000. Beginning at 6:30 am on Sunday September 11th, competitors will swim Lake Las Vegas, run the Henderson streets and bike through Lake Mead’s National Recreational Area.

After 70.3 miles of water and road, athletes will cross the finish line at the Henderson Pavilion. Spectating is free and residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and cheer on these dedicated Marine Corps men and women!

As with any race that comes to town, delays are expected. Check the Henderson Live Website for event schedules and times as well as detours and road closures.

I’ve recently come across several popular Las Vegas websites featuring articles on what not to do when you are a visitor in Las Vegas. The lists are for the young and adventurous tourist looking for a good time, not really for the permanent Las Vegans. Since I’ve been a Las Vegas real estate resident for over 15 years, I decided to make a “What Not to Do” list for the locals, based on my own experience. Enjoy.

Do not skip the sunscreen just because you tan easily. The Las Vegas sun is intense. One good burn will damage your skin for life.

Do not go to the Las Vegas Strip on weekends, especially in the summer, if you don’t have to.

Do not go see the free outdoor show at TI. It’s a waste of time and a prime location for pickpockets and time share salesmen – people scrunched together with big purses and strollers with no place to go for 15 minutes at a time.

Do not go the DMV with the expectation that you’ll be in and out in a few minutes. Give yourself plenty of time.

Do not try to be a hotel visitor so you can swim in one of the many luxurious pools. Save yourself the embarrassment.

Do not eat at the cheapest buffets in town just to save a little money. Who knows how long the cottage cheese has been out on the salad bar.

Do not wear an adult diaper to avoid getting up from a lucky slot machine. Come on locals. That’s just not right.

Do not water your plants when you feel like it. Follow the water schedule and avoid a lofty fine.

Do not trim your neighbors palm trees just because they hang over into your yard. Ask them first.